Emmys 2022: The 6 biggest talking points as Zendaya, Lee Jung-jae and Succession triumph
The biggest night in television has wrapped in Los Angeles, with ‘The White Lotus’ cleaning up and Lizzo, Zendaya and Jason Sudeikis among those going home happy.
The 2022 Emmys saw a galaxy of stars gather in Los Angeles to celebrate the best in television.
Actor and Saturday Night Live comedian Kenan Thompson oversaw proceedings at the Microsoft Theater, bringing wit and charm to the role despite some lacklustre sketches.
The tight three-hour telecast produced plenty of memorable moments. Here are the biggest talking points from the 2022 Emmys:
The White Lotus reigns supreme
The night’s biggest winner was The White Lotus. The razor-sharp social satire won Outstanding Limited Series as well as two awards for creator Mike White (one for directing, another for writing). It also gave Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge their first Emmys with supporting actor nods. Coolidge delivered one of the night’s most entertaining speeches, culminating in her bursting into dance when they tried to play her off. White, meanwhile, referred to his time on reality show Survivor when he jokingly pleaded: “Don’t vote me off the island!”
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong fails to ‘keep it royalist’
Hotly-tipped Emmys favourite Succession had a good night, winning Outstanding Drama Series at the very end of the night as well as a writing award for creator Jesse Armstrong and a supporting actor gong for Matthew Macfadyen. Despite his writing accolades, Armstrong may end up wishing he’d polished his final acceptance speech a little more. “Big week for successions,” he said on stage. “New King in the UK, this for us. Evidently a little bit more voting for us than Prince Charles. I’m not saying we’re more legitimate in our position than he is, we’ll leave that to other people...” Armstrong’s words were met with uncomfortable sounds from the audience, with actor Brian Cox, who was also on stage, chiming in with the advice: “Keep it royalist! Keep it royalist!”
Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae and director Hwang Dong-hyuk make history
There were few winners in the brutal South Korean survival drama Squid Game, but the series produced a couple of historic ones at the Emmys. Star Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while director Hwang Dong-hyuk became the first Asian director to win in the Outstanding Drama Series category and the first ever director to win for a non-English language series.
Sheryl Lee Ralph shows off her vocal talents while delivering the ‘Greatest Emmy speech of all time’
Sheryl Lee Ralph delighted fans after winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Barbara Howard, a veteran teacher on Abbott Elementary. Howard belted out a snatch of “Endangered Species” by jazz singer Dianne Reeves before proclaiming that: “This is what not giving up on yourself looks like.” Watch her staggering speech here.
Unlike his girlfriends, DiCaprio jokes don’t get old
Jokes about Leonardo DiCaprio refusing to date anyone over the age of 25 have become something of an awards show staple over the last few years - but Kenan Thompson still drew a shocked response with his line: “Twenty-six is a weird age in Hollywood... You’re old enough to play a highschooler but too old to date Leonardo DiCaprio.”
Ted Lasso is still cream of the comedy crop
Football sitcomTed Lasso was once again celebrating after raising several trophies. As well as Outstanding Comedy Series, the night also saw acting wins for stars Jason Sudeikis and Brett Goldstein.
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Here’s how the rest of the star-studded evening unfolded:
A look at the stars who are up for Emmys
From The White Lotus star Sydney Sweeney to Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson, here’s a peek at some of the stars who are up for awards this year, hanging out at the Glamour x Tory Burch Luncheon on 10 September...
Succession leads the nominations with a whopping 25 nods
HBO’s ferocious financial drama Succession leads the nominations this year with 25 nods.
The nominations for its third season include recognition for Outstanding Drama Series as well as acting nods for Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, J Smith Cameron, Sarah Snook, Nicholas Braun, Kieran Culkin, and Matthew McFayden.
The show was nominated for five Emmys in its first season and 18 in its second.
Here’s our review of season three...
Succession’s Logan Roy remains one of the most frightening characters on TV – review
A throwback to our interview with Sydney Sweeney
This year, The White Lotus has five nods in the Supporting Actress in a Limited Series category alone, for Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Natasha Rothwell and Sydney Sweeney.
We interviewed Sweeney in January for our Rising Stars interview series. Check it out below...
Sydney Sweeney: ‘I’m proud of Euphoria but no one talks about it because I got naked’
An interview with Quinta Brunson
Brunson is the first Black woman to be nominated for three comedy Emmys in the same year, for her show Abbott Elementary.
Read our recent interview with the star here...
Quinta Brunson: ‘Fans took to Abbott Elementary because it’s a true workplace comedy’
In praise of Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul has three nominations at this year’s awards, including for Outstanding Drama Series.
Here’s what our writer Louis Chilton thought of the last ever episode of the show...
The Better Call Saul finale proved sometimes a whimper is better than a bang – review
An interview with nominee Hannah Einbinder
This is the second year that Hacks star Hannah Einbinder has been nominated for her role as young comic Ava Daniels opposite Jean Smart’s veteran comedian Deborah Vance.
Read our interview with the star here...
Hacks star Hannah Einbinder: ‘A lot of bullies grew up to be comedians’
Hooray for Laura Linney
Laura Linney has been nominated in the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category for her astonishing performance in the Netflix thriller Ozark.
Read our recent interview with the star....
Laura Linney interview: ‘There’s nothing more dangerous than ignorance and arrogance’
Our Emmy predictions
Ever since the nominations were announced, fans have been speculating about who could be taking home each prize.
Find out what our writer Amanda Whiting sees in her crystal ball below...
Emmy Awards 2022: Who will win and who should win
Who will be appearing on stage at the Emmys?
The Television Academy has made a video compilation of all the stars that will be appearing on stage throughout the ceremony.
Check it out below...
Eight hours to go!
We are officially eight hours away from the 2022 Emmys ceremony kick-off.
Who are you rooting for?
Find the full list of nominees below...
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